Teams looking for a closer also are pinging the Astros about Jose Veras, according to the report.

Take a look at Norris numbers and see why teams are interested. He has made 21 starts, is 6-9 on a team that is 34-66, and his 90 strikeouts and 43 walks contribute to a 1.41 walks and hits to innings pitched ratio. His WHIP is thus tough to whip under the circumstances.

It's his salary that is the icing on the Norris cake. Teams would love to have him at $3 million per season on a deal that runs two more seasons.

"It's something that I prepared myself for last night and the days leading up to it," he said after Wednesday's game against the Oakland Athletics. "So it definitely was a little emotional and the fans really knew about it too which was pretty special. I just went out there and threw a good ball game as best I could and gave my team a chance to win."

The Astros, per form, lost. When relievers blew the save, Norris appeared distraught. It might have been his last home game with the only team he has played for, and it was another blown opportunity despite a solid start.

With luck, Norris could at least by 9-9. He has not gotten a decision in his past three starts.

"It's just the reality of the business and the understanding of the job and so forth," he said. "I understand where this organization is at and where they're going forward. They said I'm part of the plans; I'm not part of the plans — I don't really know. So I just have to see what happens."